First Lady DeSantis honored at Women of Distinction event
The annual Women of Distinction Award Program and Gala honored this year’s keynote speaker, First Lady Casey DeSantis, with the Inspirational Woman of the Year Award last Saturday, as well as awarding seven Women of Distinction awards.
“Having the First Lady there, that was my highlight,” Women of Distinction Award Program and Gala President and Founder Missi Lastra said. “We have never had a speaker of that caliber. To have the First Lady there to receive her own award and to speak to attendees, but also to give the Hometown Hero award to Dianne Boland was so meaningful. That was amazing.”
She went on to say that having the First Lady “of the great state of Florida to come to your little event” is a big deal.
“The governor and her are constantly interacting with everyday people. They are always out and about hitting mom-and’pop businesses and organizations,” Lastra said.
State Attorney Amira Fox presented DeSantis with the Inspirational Woman of the Year Award.
“She is a great speaker in her own right. Very motivational. She just inspires people. Just wonderful,” she said of First Lady DeSantis.
Lastra said DeSantis has implemented so many programs, adding $100 million dollars in occurring funds to cancer research funding from the state.
“All while battling and beating cancer herself inspires you. She is just an incredible woman,” she said.
This year’s nomination process included 42 submissions, which the selection committee reviewed with personal information redacted. The committee selected 17 finalists with seven awards presented:
The Women of Distinction:
• Dianne Boland, Hometown Hero: first female Department Commander of the American Legion in Florida. She is an Air Force veteran who served in the 1960s as a chief master sergeant.
• Teri Hansen, Business Leader: Priority Marketing
• Tricia Hennessy, Creative Arts: Owner and Founder of of Empower Dance and Athletic Wear of Cape Coral.
• Denise Nystrom, of Bonita Springs, Education Leader: special education teacher of 14 years, special education administrator for three years and an assistant superintendent of schools for eight years.
• Jenna Persons-Mulicka, of Fort Myers, Elected Leader, Florida House of Representatives 78th District.
• Lisa Maglione, of Cape Coral, Humanitarian: Owner of A&J Consulting.
• Ita Neymotin, Trail Blazer, Woman of the Year: Agency Head at Regional Counsel 2nd District. Former Defense Attorney, Office of the Public Defender, 29th Judicial Court.
• Alyssa Maldonado, of Cape Coral, Young Woman Leader
Another highlight was when Boland was recognized, as she was stunned and did not realize her name was called. Boland, of Lehigh Acres, is the first female state director of the American Legion, Lastra said.
“She spearheaded a lot of the nonprofit work to help women veterans and children. She’s an amazing woman. Very humble. It makes it all worth while,” Lastra said.
They recognition effort started seven years ago with the first event taking place six years ago “to lift woman up.”
Lastra said when you look around the community and look at the problems, it is typically woman with their sleeves rolled up fixing the issue without ever looking for recognition.
“That is obviously the most meaningful thing every year, to lift them up,” she said.
For more information, visit www.womenofdistinctionleecounty.com, or visit their Facebook page.
To reach MEGHAN BRADBURY, please email news@breezenewspapers.com